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This is our third-generation alternative to the use of traditional mold natches (like the red ones in the photo). Here is what you are seeing:
Right: A 3D-printed case mold for a mug handle. Clips (retainers) have been inserted from the bottom side. An embed has been pushed down over the one in the rear.
Center: The plaster mold created from it. The embed at the rear is ready for inserting a spacer (the nipple of the other half will it into that). A natch has also been inserted into the embed in the front. These fit tight enough in the hole that glue was not needed here.
Left: Spacers have been inserted into both embeds. A standard natch fits into the one in the rear and one of our natches fits into the one in the front.
Soon the CAD drawing for these (natches, spacers, embeds, clips) will be available on digitalfire.com.
Available on the Downloads page
This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it.
Plastic natches are cast into plaster molds to provide a durable and good-fitting interlock between pieces. The traditional self-interlocking 3/8" or 9.5 mm (nipple diameter) one has not proven suitable for mold making based on 3D printing. Our solution is a four-part system.
-13.5mm holes in 3D printed case molds are all that is needed to adapt to these.
-3D printing case and block molds necessitates pouring plaster and rubber into shells with planar mating surfaces downward (they must sit flat on the table). The thin flanges on the clips cause minimal issues.
-Casting an embed into a mold enables gluing (or friction fitting) a natch or a spacer inside.
-The use of embeds permits flat mating surfaces, these can be sanded (for better flatness and fit). They also allow replacing natches if they get broken (assuming friction fit).
-A set of four interlocks (4 embeds, 4 clips, 2 spacers, 2 natches) weighs 8.7g.
Our drawing shows the measurements we use. 3D printing is precise enough that the inside dimension of the embed is the same as the outside of the natch shoulder, yet the natch fits. The same good fit happens with the clip and embed and the natch nipple and spacer (although it is necessary to chamfer the bottom corners and bevel the top corners of the spacer for better insert).
Some dimension changes may be needed to fine-tune for printing in your circumstances.
Projects |
Mold Natches
Natches are an interlocking mechanism using in plaster molds for ceramics. They enable quick and accurate registry when assembling multiple pieces of a mold. |
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Glossary |
Mold Natches
At digitalfire we are big fans of slip casting and want to help people and companies (even hobbyists) to integrate it into their production. |
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